Ulster Under 21 Hurling Championship

[drici]

Standing ovation for Armagh. Unlucky in the rain.

[Centre Half]

Ulster Under-21 Hurling Championship Final

Antrim 0-15
Armagh 2-7

Antrim were crowned Bord Gais Energy Ulster U-21 hurling champions for the third year in succession thanks to a late rally in last night's final against Armagh at Casement Park.
It was tough luck on underdogs Armagh who looked set to secure their first title in the grade when Tony Duffy grabbed their second goal eight minutes from time. But Antrim refused to panic and sealed victory courtesy of injury-time points from Conor McCann and Neil Cunningham.
A Conor Corvan goal had Armagh leading by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break, but Antrim were back on level terms by the end of the third quarter. Points from Tony McCloskey, Nigel Elliott and McCann had them two in front before Duffy's goal edged the visitors back into the lead.
James Black and Ciaran Johnston replied for the Saffrons before Corvan tied up matters with a minute remaining. But Antrim finished strongly to avoid an upset.
Scorers for Antrim: C McCann 0-6 (4f), T McCloskey 0-2, D McLean, K McKiernan (1f), S Smyth, N Elliott, C Johnston, J Black, N Cunningham 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: C Corvan 1-4 (0-4f), T Duffy 1-0, M Maguire, D Nugent, C McKee 0-1 each.
Antrim: E Gillan; T McAllister, A Downey, J McCouaig; N McAlea, M Donnelly, K McKiernan; C Laverty, S Smyth; J Black, M Devlin, D McLean; N Elliott, C McCann, T McCloskey.
Substitutes: C Johnston for M Devlin, C Loughran for A Downey.
Armagh: S Doherty; M Garvey, F Corvan, N Duffy; T Marley, P Heaney, JJ Hughes; K McKiernan, M Lenon; M Maguire, J King, C McKee; A Mackle, C Corvan, D Nugent.
Substitutes: E Carville for A Mackle, R Lewis for N Duffy, L Woods for T Markey, T Duffy for R Lewis.
Referee: E Hassan (Derry).

[mackthefinger]

Great effort from the lads last night. Dominant in midfield for large parts
of the first half, some great blocking. Well worth the three point lead at half
time. Antrim were stronger in the second half and maybe used the ball better
but the goal got Armagh back into the game and was looking forward to extra time,
but it wasn't to be. Good game of hurling.